Miami Central’s Fred Jones signs with FSU

Six Miami Central football players signed their National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning, bringing the Class 6A state champion Rockets total to 12. Six Rockets were early graduates, and are already enrolled in college.

Six Miami Central football players signed their National Letters of Intent Wednesday morning, bringing the Class 6A state champion Rockets total to 12. Six Rockets were early graduates, and are already enrolled in college.

Defensive linemen Fred Jones signed with Florida State, joining his dad, cousin and uncle as part of the Seminoles family.

“It’s a great feeling going to Florida State University,” said Jones, who has a 3.2 grade point average. “BCS National Championship, it can’t get any better than this.

“This is like one of the best days because I’m actually signing, going to college. Now I just got to work. Finally, the recruitment is over. No more little headaches. I know where I’m going in the fall. It started out as a struggle at first. I didn’t know where I wanted to go. When Florida State offered me, I took it.

“Florida State gave me an opportunity to play football for them and get my education, so I’m going to get my education, play football and try to help out Florida State the best I can.”

“It’s a big day. I’ve been waiting on it all my life,” Bonds said. “I’m glad that I came to Miami Central. It was the biggest move I ever made. We won a state championship, the coaches helped me out real well, we have a lot of support, the fan base is great, I love the academics here, and I’m just grateful and ready to move on to college.

“It’s the biggest day of my life so far. I just thank God for the opportunity. I’m grateful to be here. I always be a Rocket for life, and I thank everybody that supported me. I have a great support system behind me from my mom all the way down to these coaches and my family.”

Bonds became enamored with the Tigers when he arrived in Nashville.

“When I went up there, they showed a lot of love,” Bonds said. “I know they’ll expect a lot out of me when I get up there. I’m just grateful that they offered me, and that’s where I’m going to take my talents.

“They told I could come in there and have a chance to start as a true freshman. They said I could help them out on defense at corner, I could play safety, maybe return kicks and punts, so it sounds good. I’m just going to get up there and work hard and try to earn a starting spot."

Guard Michael Smith, who carries a 3.1 GPA, signed with the University of South Florida. Guard Joshua Addison, who carries a 3.89 GPA, signed with Florida A&M. Defensive tackle Twan Adams, who has a 3.7 GPA, and defensive end Carlin Clark, a 3.4 student-athlete, signed with Tuskegee.